Special Public Works and Transportation Committee Meeting – July 8, 2025

The Oakland City Council Public Works and Transportation Committee met on July 8, 2025, at 11:01 AM in City Council Chamber. The meeting, which adjourned at 1:22 PM, addressed several major contracts for security services, paving, and pedestrian right-of-way construction. Due to the presence of Council President Jenkins and Councilmember Brown, a quorum of the full council was noted, and the committee briefly adjourned to convene as a special full council meeting at 11:25 AM before resuming committee business. Key votes included a divisive decision on a citywide security contract and approvals of paving contracts totaling over $52 million.

Consent Calendar

• Item 2 – Determination of Schedule of Outstanding Committee Items: Accepted as recommended (4–0).
• Item 3 – Nixon-Egli Equipment Company Contract for Paving Equipment Parts and Repair Services: Approved and forwarded to the July 15 City Council consent agenda (4–0).
• Item 4 – Project 1007572 Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation ($25,948,875): Approved and forwarded to consent (4–0).
• Item 5 – Project 1007573 Citywide Pavement Rehabilitation ($26,188,425): Approved and forwarded to consent (4–0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• On Item 9 (Security Services Contract): Over 21 speakers addressed the committee. Supporters of Allied Universal Security Services, LP, including company representatives and employees, highlighted that Allied employs 1,011 Oakland residents, has a local office at 333 Hagenberger Road, and has provided services in the city for over 20 years. They noted a 72% African American workforce and partnerships with local law enforcement. Supporters of Marina Security Services, Inc., including the CEO, community leaders, and subcontractors, emphasized that Marina is a 100% Black-owned, immigrant-founded local company with 200 employees, deep community ties, and a track record of investing in Oakland schools and nonprofits. Several speakers argued that awarding a $45 million contract to a global corporation over a similarly qualified local business would undermine the city's equity and local business goals. Critics of Allied cited 30 civil lawsuits since 2020, 152 wage-and-hour violations, and open NLRB charges.
• On Items 6–8 (Pedestrian Right-of-Way Construction): Four speakers, including representatives from the Mayor's Commission on People with Disabilities and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission, urged approval of the resolutions to accelerate accessibility improvements, noting that Oakland faces a 25-year potential consent decree for ADA compliance. Kevin Dowley (BPAC) cited data showing that waiving local business requirements could reduce unit costs by 20–30% and increase the number of curb ramps and sidewalk repairs. George Spees (Traffic Violence Rapid Response) supported streamlining contract awards to expedite work.
• During Open Forum: Three speakers raised concerns about a proposed tree removal at a golf course, the city's notice process, and the need for more benches at transit stops.

Discussion Items

• Item 9 – Citywide Security Services Contract Award (Allied Universal): Staff recommended awarding a three-year contract with two one-year options (total not to exceed $45 million) to Allied, the top-ranked proposer in a competitive RFP process. Councilmembers Houston, Gallo, and Wang raised concerns about the evaluation process, the lack of transparency regarding interview notes, and Allied's litigation history. Councilmember Gallo and Councilmember Houston expressed preference for Marina Security Services, a local bidder that scored nearly as high. Councilmember Wang requested that controversies (lawsuits, wage violations) be factored into evaluations. A motion to forward the Allied contract to full council failed for lack of a second. Instead, the committee passed a scheduling motion (3–1, Unger dissenting) directing staff to bring back a new contract recommendation for Marina Security Services to the Rules Committee. The committee also added a friendly amendment requiring that existing security staff be given the opportunity to interview with the new contractor.
• Items 6–8 – Pedestrian Right-of-Way Construction Resolutions: Staff presented three related proposals:
  • Item 6 (Contract Authorization): Pre-authorizes the City Administrator to award pedestrian right-of-way construction contracts up to $7.5 million each without returning to council, to speed up work under a potential consent decree. Estimated 10–20 contracts per year, saving 1.5 months per contract.
  • Item 7 (Waive LSLBE Requirements): Waives Local/Small Local Business Enterprise (LSLBE) requirements for pedestrian right-of-way construction to increase competition and lower prices. Staff cited a pilot project where full waiver yielded four bidders and $6,800 per curb ramp, while a 20% requirement yielded one bid at $10,000 per ramp.
  • Item 8 (Sidewalk Assistance Program): Eliminates the $50,000 annual cap on low-income property owner sidewalk repairs, allowing no-cost repairs based on available capital budget. Councilmember Wang suggested adding lifeline phone/broadband and low-income water assistance programs as eligibility proofs.
  • Councilmember Houston opposed the “without return to council” provision and the LSLBE waiver, arguing it undermines council oversight and local business support. All three items passed 3–1 (Houston no) and were forwarded to the July 15 council agenda as non‑consent items.

Key Outcomes

• Item 9: The Allied contract was not forwarded to full council. Instead, by a 3–1 vote (Unger dissenting), the committee ordered staff to schedule a new item for the Rules Committee recommending a contract with Marina Security Services, with a requirement that existing security employees be interviewed for retention.
• Items 3, 4, 5: Unanimously approved and sent to the July 15 consent calendar.
• Items 6, 7, 8: Each approved 3–1 (Houston dissenting) and forwarded to the July 15 non‑consent calendar.
• Open Forum: No formal action taken.